Tommy Smith has hailed the influence of Huddersfield Town development coach Steve Eyre on his career as he eyes a second Championship outing against Burnley tomorrow.

The 21-year-old defender played under Eyre, a former Burnley junior, at Manchester City and was brought to Town by him the close-season before last.

Released by the Premier League club, Smith had spent time at Tranmere and Oxford before the former Rochdale manager offered him a development deal.

“Steve has been great for me,” said the Warrington-born centre-back, who made his Town debut in the Capital One Cup tie at Hull, then featured in last Saturday’s 2-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday.

“He was a bit of a father figure for me at Man City, and he kept in touch after I left the club and then offered me a chance at Huddersfield, which I jumped at.

“The Under 21 team reached the (Professional Development League II) play-offs last season, and we are top of the North division at the moment.

“And a number of players have stepped up to the first team, so there is a clear pathway, and that’s a big incentive for us all.”

The Under 21s have their first league game in a month at Barnsley on Monday (1.00), while the Under 18s face Sheffield United at Canalside tomorrow (11.00).

Ipswich, Town’s hosts a week tomorrow, have signed young Aston Villa winger Jordan Graham on loan.

The 18-year-old is capped at England Under 16 and 17 level and featured in the early rounds of Villa's NextGen Series campaign last season.

He has just returned to the Premier League outfit's Under 21 side after injury.